Speak Your Roots

Tag: pnarlanguage

  • Siah Siam

    "Siah siam" toh i ktien Phar i wa jooh ong i manda sñiaw hun jrut palat i mynsien haduh wym yïe de u batai. Em i por wa sñiaw siah siam næ wa bang ware i bam haduh wa sñiaw kamwa da psiah chadooh u klong nood. Teiñ teiñ ong i siah siam næ hawa ïoh u klam pynhiar jhar ïa kiwon kiwon kiwa da pynjaw mynsien ïa i chawa palat.

    "Siah Siam" ka dei ka rukom ong ki Pnar haba ka don ka jingsngewhun jrut ka mynsiem haduh bym lah shuh ban batai. Ki ong ïa kine ki kyntien lada ka bang palat ka bam kumba ka lah rung shaduh u dohnud. Teng teng pat ki ju ong siah siam haba ïoh ban kren ban ai nia ïa kino kino kiba la pynjew pynsngewsih ïa ka mynsiem shaba palat.

    "Siah Siam" is a Phar phrase that is generally used to describe the feeling of absolute satisfaction and contentment. It is also used to express the joy that one would feel after having a delectable meal or snack that reaches the satiety point of maximum measure. Many also use it to express the great satisfaction obtained when they get to express their feelings to someone who has angered and saddened them.

    "Siah Siam" is a Pnar phrase which means to feel great satisfaction! Thank you @anumanda for sending this and Shiny for the English translation 😃😃

    Khasi translation by @speakyourroots

  • The Pnar Alphabet

    Aa Ari! (Ani in Khasi)

    Bb Bol (Bol in Khasi)

    Cc Chalani (Pdung in Khasi)

    Dd Dieñ (Dieng in Khasi)

    Ee E ngooh (Ai nguh in Khasi)

    Ӕӕ Ӕrplieñ (Liengsuiñ in Khasi)

    Hh Hati (Hati in Khasi)

    li Istri (Istri in Khasi)

    Yy Yuta Juti in Khasi)

    Ji Jhōr (hur in Khasi)

    Kk Khai kyoh (Jyrhoh in Khasi)

    Li Lieñ (Lieng in Khasi)

    Mm Muja (Muja in Khasi)

    Nn Neini (Nangne in Khasi)

    Ññ Ñaam (Niad in Khasi)

    Ŋŋ Ŋap (Ngap in Khasi)

    Oo Oꞑthai (Phone in Khasi)

    Ōō Ōr khûndau (Twa khyndew in Khasi)

    Pp Phok (Kot kudi in Khasi)

    Rr Raᶇ Khatjhep (Tin khatñuit in Khasi)

    Ss Surō (Synsar in Khasi)

    Tt Tana (Rumal in Khasi)

    Uu Um (Um in Khasi)

    Ȗȗ Ȗem (Ym don in Khasi)

    Ww Wieh (Wieh in Khasi)

    The need for a Pnar alphabet has been felt for a long time. The Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) released the Jaiñtia Phonetic Alphabet on the 25th of March 2021. (https://wyrta.com/pdiang-ka-dorbar-ka-jhadc-ya-ki-dak-thoh-pnar/)

    The two books are:

    🟡 Ki Dak Thoh næ Puræ Hei Ktien Pnar by Riquoma Rq. Laloo.

    🟡 Ka Kot Sikai Yoh U Pliah u Kûnnoh Wei Wau Pûn Emkaam Ya Ki Dak A-B Jaiñtia by Riquoma Rq. Laloo.

    🟡 Picture of alphabets with illustrations is from Ka Kot Sikai Yoh U Pliah u Kûnnoh Wei Wau Pûn Emkaam Ya Ki Dak A-B Jaiñtia by Riquoma Rq. Laloo.

    You can watch a video on YouTube for the correct pronunciation of the letters at this link: https://youtu.be/q49RFIfCZH0

    We would like to congratulate Riquoma Rq. Laloo for publishing these valuable books. If anyone is interested in purchasing the books please DM us. Thank you Riquoma Rq. Laloo for sending the pictures of the books! 🙏🙏

  • Beiñ kiwa beiñ

    "Beiñ kiwa beiñ.

    Roh kiwa roh.

    Ïei їong kiwi,

    ym їe i u pyntoh."

    "Let those who criticise, criticise.

    Let those who praise, praise.

    Other people's opinions,

    cannot be catered to."

    Here's what may be described as a Pnar quote or chant sent by @laloorisa 😎😎😎 (translated by @speakyourroots)

    The lines urge us not to let people's words, either praise or criticism, affect us. Lest we fall prey to pride or feelings of inadequacy. We should just march to the beat of our own drum and do what makes us happy! 🌬️🌬️🌻🌼🌾

    Ham pynsñiaw ai ki! Wat pynsngew eh ia ki!

  • U Wah Sdai/ Sdie

    "U Wah sdai/sdie" u dei nongrep na shnong Jowai, uba trei shitom hynrei uba klet biej. Ha kawei ka sngi, u thlieh dieng baroh shisngi. Hadien katto katne por, u shong thait bad u bam kwai. Ynda u la mut ban bteng biang їa la ka kam, um lap shuh ïa u sdie jong u. U la pyrshang ban kynmaw hangno ba u la buh їa u ruh, um lah kynmaw satia. Khatduh ki paralok kiba їa trei lang bad u haba ki їohi ba u їai wad kumne kim banse ban kylli, "Phi wad aїu kumto naduh mynne khlem lap shuh?" "Nga wad їa u sdie" u la jubab. "Phi khlem їohi hangno nga la buh?" Kita ki paralok ki la їa rkhie їa u bapli namar u sdie jong u, une lydui ha ka tyrpeng jong u hi. Namar ba kane ka wan jia barabor ha une u paralok, na kata ka daw u sa ioh їa ka kyrteng sin kum "U Wah sdai/ sdie". Na kane, їa kum kine ki briew kiba klet biej khamtam haba ki klet jaka buh їa kano kano ka tiar, ka sa kylla long ka rukom ban khot їa ki da ka kyrteng sin "U Wah sdai/sdie".

    There once was a farmer from Jowai who was hard working but quite forgetful. One day he had been cutting wood for a long time. So he sat down to rest and have some kwai. When he stood up to continue with his work, he couldn't find his axe. He couldn't remember where he kept it, even though he tried hard to remember where he left it. Finally, when his friends saw him searching, they asked him what he was looking for. He replied that he was searching for his axe. "Did you see where I left it?" he asked. His friends burst out laughing because the poor man did not realise that his axe was hanging from his shoulder. So because of his forgetfulness being a regular occurrence, his friends gave him the name of "Wah sdai/ sdie". For this reason those who easily forget where they keep things, are given the name "Wah sdai/ sdie".

    "Wah" means to hang something.

    "Sdai" (Pnar) and "Sdie" (Khasi) means axe.

    The Pnar nickname "U Wah Sdai/ Sdie" 🪓🪓 Another story about a nickname sent by @laloorisa 😄😄

    Khublei Chibun wa phah phi kini ki pyrtuit siñ! You've become our regular supplier of them! 😂😂

  • U miaw wa synñiam dakharang

    U miaw wa synñiam dakharang" is a Pnar phrase to describe men who are very good at making romantic advances towards women.

    "Miaw" means cat, "dakharang" is fish that has been smoked and "synñiam" may be translated as an opportunist waiting for the right time. The phrase describes the cat who has been waiting for the right time to steal the fish.

    Imat ki long thik kum u miaw ba pyrshang ban tuh dakharang haba ki pyrshang ban pynbiej kynthei, na kata ka daw ki sa khot ia ki da kata ka kyrteng.

    The men resemble the cat in its eager attempt to get the fish, in the way they woo women. That's why they have been given this nickname.

    "U miaw wa synñiam dakharang" is a Pnar phrase used to describe men who are expert "wooers" of women 😅😅😂😂 This post is dedicated to all you Don Juans and Zorros! 🤭😜

    Thank you @laloorisa for sending this! 😁😁

  • Ki Dak Ñiew na Mawbynna by R.David Hamboy Kharlukhi

    1. Jylliew nga poi sha thwei Jingtip buh nam ki longshuwa,

    Ki mawbynna ba sah kynmmaw naduh ki thwei u mynbarim;

    Ba khlem pat sep ba dang shongdor, Ki neh kyrpang ki ieng hi triang.

    Nangno ngi sdang hangno ngi poi, ia ngi Jingtip ki ai;

    2. Nod, wei ar lai haduh shiphewkhub ki ieng kum ki sabut.

    U dak kyrwoh jingkhein ban pynbiang lut naduh suda haduh shiphewkhup;

    ki nang pynbiang ia shihali, shikuri ban thew ban woh ha iew ha hat,

    Khlem artatien ki dei spah bah bakhraw naduh u mynbarim.

    3. Ha lawkyntang bad lawlyngdoh ki ieng sakhi;

    Naduh na Nongjri shathie shaduh sha Nartiang Shatei.

    Ha Phyllaw shad bad kper pynngnad ki mawbynna ba itynnad:

    Ki khynnah rit ki ialehkai khlem poi pyrkhat ei ei.

    4. U Marphalangki man la ki por u thung a mawbynna ban sah kynmaw;

    U ñiew bad lum kyrpang ki mawbynna ha lad dap briew,

    Manla ki por ngi tih bad lum jingtip riti dustur u ñi u kong:

    Khaddei la dep ban pynurlong I'u dak ñiew naduh myndai kulong.

    5. "Nod" U mawbynna shongthait ba par ha sla kjat khyndew

    "Wei" U mawbynna ba kiew shaphrang u Khun phrangsngi ka Ri

    " Ar" Ki mawbynna shijur ki ieng sakhi i-a roi ka par ki paidbynriew Khasi

    " Lai" Ki mawbyrseiw rympei longing ki ieng ban kiew shaphrang khlem kyrtiang dien

    "Saw" Ki Mawbynna U Kpa Ka Kmie bad ar sakhi ki Khun kum shikynhun

    "San" Ki Mawbynna Longkni longsan khlem noh shiliang synshar ia kur ki man

    "Hynriew" u mawbynna tip briew tip Blei ba sdang ban san Rangbah bad talain stieh

    "Hynñiew" Ki mawbynna hynñiew pateng ba snoh kti lang ban iai pynbha imlang sah lang

    "Phra" Ki mawbynna jong ki Hima sawdong ki pud ki ker bad ki iada

    "Khyndai" Ki mawbynna sah jingkynmmaw jong ki pateng longshuwa manshuwa

    "Shiphew" Ki mawbynna shongthait ba dap pura ka kamai hok jong ki rta

    6. Ki dak ñiew khasi ba ioh nongkynti na ki mawbynna;

    Ki dei ki spah dak maian ba buh ki longshuwa manshuwa;

    Namar ka "ia" ka juk Sati Ksiar la dap pura;

    Ia ki dak ñiew la dei ban ri bad sumar bha.

    "Ki Dak Ñiew Na Mawbynna” by R. D. H. Kharlukhi @davidkharlukhi is an original Khasi poem.

    This beautiful and well-crafted poem brings together Khasi numbers and the different kinds of "mawbynna" (monoliths) that Khasi and Pnar culture possess, to create an ingenious symbolism. It is a significant effort to create an awareness of the deep, inextricable bond between man and nature. Most importantly, the poem highlights the lessons encrypted in nature which many of us do not perceive.

    Thank you to Mr. R. D. H. Kharlukhi @davidkharlukhi for giving the permission to post his poem! This poem is available on amazon.in.

  • U Swet Titiaw

    Have you ever met a person who says no but they actually mean yes? If you offer them something they refuse and act as if they don't want it but in reality they do. In the Pnar language, they have a name for people like this. They call them "Swet Titiaw".

    The story goes that "U Swet Titiaw" is a farmer from Jowai. He has a peculiar quality and that is when people ask him something he acts as if he doesn't want to answer or when they offer him something he refuses but in his heart he wants to answer and he wants to accept the offer.

    In Pnar they say: "Leh u kam u wym bien tangwa napoh napoh kwah u naduh mynsien. Neite i daw haduh katni leh ia ki bru wa man kam o juh sin ki ki dei pyrtuid u 'Swet Titiaw'."

    "U ong tae ym bien ym bien

    tangwa ki kti ner ner nei dien.”

    "He will say no, no but his hands

    are already open from behind.”

    The Pnar nickname "U Swet Titiaw" sent by @laloorisa 😅😅😂😂 Thank you for your entry!

    "U Swet Titiaw" is quite the satiric nickname for someone who says no but actually means yes…🤡🤡

  • “Peit Cheitai Cheitu” da Saweini Laloo

    Dang step dang step, chong u woh Ephrin

    Ha ka ben kawa rong soo

    Ka kot khubor ha kti beit, hajan

    Peit u cheitu, peit u cheitai

    Man da dep pure u

    Te chong u chi slem

    Peit u ia ki bru

    Wa lai cheitai cheitu

    Oh Papun o! Oh Papun o!

    Khana ia nga yi ioo phi cheitai?

    Ki jingmut u ioosar cha jngai

    Ham kylli jingkylli ware o ksu

    Peit cheitai, peit cheitu

    Wa lai ki kari wa ki bru

    Dang step, dang step, chong u woh wa ka ksu u

    Ha ka ben kawa rong blue

    Ka kot khubor ha kti ïong o

    Peit ki waroh arngut cheitai, cheitu.

    Original Pnar poem: "Peit Cheitai Cheitu" by @nini_sasa_23 😄😄 Thank you for the poem!

    This is a quaint and evocative poem about her "Papun" (grandfather) reading his newspaper in the veranda and then spending hours observing and ruminating on passersby and cars. 🌻🌻💞💞

  • “Ka Ktien Khasi Jong Ngi” da Labianglang Diengdoh

    Ha sla pyrthei la kha ia nga,

    Nga san longbriew, nga im pura;

    Ryngkat jingieid i mei i pa,

    Ha la ka ktien ba ngan kren bha.

    Ym tang ban kren kumta la biang,

    Hynrei ban thoh te ba ngan nang;

    Kumta jingstad sawdong ka phriang,

    A-B, ka jinghikai ka sdang.

    Ka ktien khasi shisha ba iar,

    Ha ri khynriam bad ha ri pnar;

    'Sohra'- Ka ieng 'tien salonsar,

    Ban ia biang lang, ban ym kulmar.

    U Thomas Jones na ri sepngi,

    U la wanlam dak thoh khasi;

    ia jait bynriew ban lam lynti,

    Ban ym sah dum bynriew khasi.

    I'u la tip haduh kine ki sngi,

    Kum u kpa ki dak thoh khasi:

    Khlem don ma u ba prat lynti,

    Ngi lah sah dum ha la ka ri.

    Ki longshuwa da buit ba iar,

    Lyngba jingeh ki khih ki ksar;

    Ban roi ban iar ka thoh ka tar,

    Ban ym sah bieit, sah dum jynjar.

    Rai-eh Rai-dam, hei! ka bym kai,

    Kam dei ka mutdur pyrkhat rngai;

    Kat ban sawar ka ktien shongsbai,

    La ha ka kren khana ne rwai.

    Maitang! haram kam dei ho phi,

    la longshuwa baieid jong ngi;

    Burom shi junom bhor Ia ki,

    Shikit-iapar kam long na ngi.

    Kumne Ia la ka ktien ngin ieid,

    Ngin kren ngin thoh te khlem jingriej;

    Nangne pateng kan khih kan smiej,

    Sha jngai kan phet ka dum ka bieit.

    -Labianglang Diengdoh

    Original poem: "Ka Ktien Khasi Jong Ngi" written by @_i_g_d_r_e_a_m_e_r_

    Thank you for sending this entry! 🎉🎉

    Speaking, reading and writing in our indigenous language may be described as a persistent and consistent act of resistance to forces that may endanger it.

  • Phok

    It is definitely no secret that we are a diverse people with variations of speech and countless dialects and it is also no secret that we have similar sounding words only with meanings that are worlds apart and can even sound embarrassing in certain situations. To cite an example, I’m going to take the pnar word "Phok". Just listening to it brings out a rather humorous nature in us, for it can be associated with the well-known English urban slang, though, we as Pnars use it guilt-free in our dialect, to others who are not familiar, it may sound very wrong. '"Phok" simply means "kite”.

    The word "Phok" in the Pnar language means "Kite". Thank you @shiny_joan for sending this! 😄😄